Natural mysticism

Vaughan is probably thinking of the death of several close loved ones, and their ‘ascension' into heaven, as much that of Jesus. He lost his younger brother, William, and his first wife within a few years; also a cousin who was close to him. This was about the time he underwent his own conversion experience.

The poem is a good example of Vaughan's natural mysticism – heaven is never far away. Such mysticism often draws upon Platonic language and thought forms.

Investigating Ascension - Hymn

Read through Ascension - Hymn

What can you tell the poem itself about Vaughan's personal circumstances at the time of writing?

To whom is the poem addressed?

English Standard Version

King James Version

1But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.2And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,3but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.4While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.5And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, Why do you seek the living among the dead?6He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,7that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.8And they remembered his words,9and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.10Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles,11but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.12But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.13That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,14and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.15While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.16But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.17And he said to them, What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk? And they stood still, looking sad.18Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?19And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,20and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.22Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,23and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.25And he said to them, O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!26Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.28So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,29but they urged him strongly, saying, Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent. So he went in to stay with them.30When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.31And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.32They said to each other, Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?33And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,34saying, The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.36As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, Peace to you!37But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.38And he said to them, Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?39See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.41And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, Have you anything here to eat?42They gave him a piece of broiled fish,43and he took it and ate before them.44Then he said to them, These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,46and said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.48You are witnesses of these things.49And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.51While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.52And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,53and were continually in the temple blessing God.

1Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.2And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.3And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.4And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:5And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,7Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.8And they remembered his words,9And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.10It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.11And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.12Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.13And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.14And they talked together of all these things which had happened.15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.17And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?18And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.29But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?33And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.35And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.36And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.37But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.40And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.41And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?42And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.43And he took it, and did eat before them.44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.48And ye are witnesses of these things.49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.50And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.51And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.52And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:53And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

English Standard Version

King James Version

1In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach,2until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.3He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.4And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, you heard from me;5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.6So when they had come together, they asked him, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?7He said to them, It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.9And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.10And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,11and said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.13And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.14All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.15In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,16Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.17For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.18(Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.19And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)20For it is written in the Book of Psalms, May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it; and Let another take his office.21So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,22beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us - one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.23And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.24And they prayed and said, You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen25to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.26And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,2Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:3To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:4And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.13And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)16Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.18Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.19And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.20For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.21Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.23And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,25That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

A religious song written for worship.

The technical name for a verse, or a regular repeating unit of so many lines in a poem. Poetry can be stanzaic or non-stanzaic.

The withdrawal of Jesus into heaven, 40 days after his resurrection.

The name given to the man believed by Christians to be the Son of God. Also given the title Christ, meaning 'anointed one' or Messiah. His life is recorded most fully in the Four Gospels.

The celebration of the Resurrection of Christ and the oldest and greatest festival of the Christian Church.

A 'testament' is a covenant (binding agreement), a term used in the Bible of God's relationship with his people. The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible. Its name comes from the new covenant or relationship with God.

1.To change from one faith or belief system to another; or from no faith to a faith.
2. Used in Christianity to describe the process of change in an individual who repents (turns from sin) and has faith in (turns towards) Jesus Christ.

The seeking of direct spiritual encounter with God, usually through a life of self-denial and contemplation. Mystics often have visions or other supernatural revelations of God.

1. Relating to Plato or his philosophy.
2. Describing a relationship which is affectionate but not sexual.